You might assume we roll into diners at dawn, order enough pancakes to feed a small town, and leave with syrup-stained shirts. You’d be absolutely right. We’re basically undercover breakfast detectives, armed with coffee mugs and a questionable tolerance for hash browns. But what really happens when we scout Tustin’s diners? Yes, we have ridiculous codenames. Yes, we pay for every greasy spoon. Ready for the best?
Streamliner Diner
$ | (714) 639-7829 | WEBSITE
We’d been hearing about this train depot diner for a few weeks. When we finally stopped by, we appreciated the convenient location, cozy lighting, and solid beer selection, but couldn’t quite figure out why it wasn’t busier. A quick look at the menu and we mostly solved the puzzle. They’re known for their breakfast and comfort food, but most of the entrees come in around $18–$22, and while the food was genuinely good, that felt a bit steep for a diner.
The bacon cheeseburger and seafood plate were absolutely worth the price though, and they paired perfectly with a cold red ale.
Kaye’s Kitchen
$ | (714) 636-6755 | WEBSITE
We’re fans of Kaye’s Kitchen’s reputation as a Tustin favorite, so when we found ourselves in the area on a Saturday morning, we made a beeline to check it out. It’s a quaint and comfortable spot and already bustling with regulars at breakfast, so we grabbed a quick table in the small outside area. We were not disappointed. We ordered the eggs Benedict, a generous but reasonably priced BLT sandwich, and some of the fluffiest pancakes we’ve ever had for dessert. All were delicious.
And we’d happily eat it all over again.
Ruby’s
$ | (949) 673-7829 | WEBSITE
Verdict: Plenty of cheer and not much character. We won’t be hurrying back for the meal but might consider swinging by for a milkshake at the counter or out in the parking lot.
Pancakes R Us
$ | (949) 642-9424 | WEBSITE
It was only a matter of time before somebody took the classic American diner concept and elevated it. That’s exactly what Pancakes R Us has accomplished. It’s in Tustin, and the space has that familiar diner brightness, but with the cheerful energy that only a bustling pancake house can generate. What we ate was unquestionably better than your typical chain breakfast spot.
The country fried steak and eggs, cooked to perfection, is a straightforward and satisfying main, but what you’re really here for are the pancakes. A short stack runs about $8 and they’re as fluffy and golden as a California morning. The service here is fast and friendly, we’d rate it as genuinely attentive, and the coffee was reliably hot.
It was popular, no shock given the reasonable prices and consistent quality, but the sheer number of returning regulars meant that we couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic for the quiet, predictable ease of a less-discovered gem.
Ruby’s Diner
$ | (714) 838-7829 | WEBSITE
When we walk into a restaurant, we always do a quick scan of the room. At Ruby’s Diner we liked what we saw. There were families with kids coloring menus, couples sharing milkshakes, a few solo diners at the counter, and some groups celebrating birthdays with balloons. Not only that, they all looked content. We ordered the RubyMelt, fish and chips, strawberry cheesecake, and the double chocolate chip shake. They fell into two categories.
One: the fish and chips, cheesecake, and shake were all tasty, not life-changing, but tasty none the less. The second category: the RubyMelt, which comes with crispy fries and is an absolute must-order.
NORMS Restaurant
$ | (714) 639-7562 | WEBSITE
NORMS Restaurant is in a convenient spot on Katella Avenue, the staff are fantastic, and – based on our recent visit, a breakfast – it seems like it’d be a perfect spot for a family meal. Our breakfast would have been solid if the coffee had been a bit hotter. Of the four items we ordered, only the waffle stood out. Unexpected given we’d also gotten the pancakes and the omelette.
Denny’s
$ | (714) 776-3745 | WEBSITE
Verdict: This is not the most refined dining experience you’ll ever have, but it’s reliably enjoyable, and you can’t argue with the value. Best enjoyed with a hungry family or a group of friends after a long day at the parks.
Woody’s Diner
$ | (714) 940-0640 | WEBSITE
We stopped into Woody’s Diner for a quick bite and an early morning breakfast. The price and the service were perfectly fine, but the Huevos Rancheros weren’t quite as good as our server’s description of them. The $12 breakfast special with pancakes and eggs was perfectly fine.
Alea Cafe
$ | (714) 993-5198 | WEBSITE
After a brief wait, we snagged a spot on the patio and ordered the hefty Gyro plate, a classic diner dish with seasoned meat and fresh toppings. It tasted very good, it had proper flavor (and by proper we mean, like a warm hug from a favorite aunt), and we’ll definitely be back to try other options like the enchilada salad, the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, and some of the hearty shrimp dishes once the weekend lunch rush settles down a bit.
Dick Church’s Restaurant
$ | (714) 884-4522 | WEBSITE
Dick Church’s Restaurant quickly became the kind of place that someone would have to drag us out of come morning whilst we cradle a plate of corned beef hash to our chest. The atmosphere, the biscuits, the 1960s interior, was all very addictive. We can’t speak for their turkey sandwich as we didn’t try it, but we’ll definitely be back to check out the full menu and honestly, we’re pretty hyped to get back to exploring that breakfast list.